PROVIDENCE, R.I. – When a gunman began firing inside an academic building on the Brown University campus, students immediately turned to their phones, using Sidechat, an anonymous messaging platform, to share urgent updates rather than waiting for official alerts.
On December 13 during finals week, posts flooded into the Sidechat feed as students sheltered in place, documenting their experiences and seeking information about the unfolding situation. An analysis of nearly 8,000 posts over 36 hours revealed a raw and fragmented digital narrative of survival amid chaos.
As students texted worried friends and family, they shared firsthand accounts of hiding under library tables and in classrooms, with some comments even emerging from individuals who had been injured.
With each passing moment, anxiety grew. Questions like “Is there a lockdown? Where is the shooter?” filled the platform as students desperately sought clarity amidst a veil of uncertainty. Fifteen minutes before the university sent its first alert, students were already reacting to the crisis.
Law enforcement was active on campus, navigating floor by floor, searching buildings for the shooter. Despite the police's efforts, misinformation spread rapidly online, creating confusion and panic among students who were trying to ascertain the facts.
Many students expressed a sense of numbness or heartbreak, with heartfelt posts proliferating: “I just want a hug from my mom,” one wrote, epitomizing the emotional toll of the day.
As the situation played out, the community showed moments of solidarity, with students sharing food and offering support wherever they could. A Google Document dedicated to verified information began circulating, reflecting the collective effort to manage misinformation and provide reassurance.
The day stretched into night, with students still on edge, rostered through a time of anxiety and fear, mourning two lives tragically lost in the attack. As the lockdown lifted, they returned to a campus irreversibly changed, marked by the tragedy.
“It truly hurt seeing the snowflakes fall this morning, beautiful and tragic,” one student reflected, conveying the bittersweet mix of beauty and loss. The aftermath left many feeling unsure of their new reality, grappling with the pervasive sense that their college experience would never be the same again.
In the wake of the shooting, Brown University faces a crucial moment of reflection, questioning how to support its students and prevent future tragedies. The events also raise significant discussions about safety protocols, communication in emergencies, and the role of social media in modern crises.
